F.O.L. Policy ‘Astounding’

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30063, 22 February 1963, Page 12

F.O.L. Policy ‘Astounding’

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 21. The press statement issued by Mr F. P. Walsh on behalf of the national council of the Federation of Labour, endorsing the Government’s action in abolishing compulsory unionism “will not find favour with the majority of trade unionist or affiliates of the Federation of Labour,” said Mr P. M. Butler, secretary of the Labourers’ and Related Trades Union, today. “The statement itself indicated that it did not have the unanimous support of the national council, but it now becomes ‘policy' and any councillor or affiliate will be ‘dealt with’ if they dare to publicly oppose this most stupid and ill-advised statement.” Mr Butler said. “The Tory Government changed the law against the overwhelming weight of public opinion. The amendment does nothing to advance in-

dustrial unionism or settle disputes. It is a source of friction and annoyance. At best, it is an additional weapon in the hands of the employers’ assessors when the going is tough in conciliation councils,” he said. “The statement made by Mr Walsh will be powerful ammunition to the Tories in the General Election, as was bis statement on the Nelson cotton mill at the Waitate byelection. No doubt the statement made by him is based on his personal knowledge of the ‘sweetheart’ agreements he makes from Sime to time; but his statement that an unqualified preference clause obtained by the union itself with the backing of the Federation of Labour is a more effective clause than toe old compulsory unionism clause of the I. C. and A. Act shows how far he has divorced himself from everyday realities. “The implication in this statement is that all a union has to do when in difficulties is to call in toe Federation of Labour, whereupon Mr Wettah will wave toe appropriate magical big stick to strike terror into the hearts of toe employers and quickly resolve the workers’ problems.” said Mr Butler. “The workers employed by Cable Price, Ltd., know what reliance can be placed on

that ‘big stick’ talk. They are still waiting for the stopwork meeting promised by Mr Walsh at which he undertook to report back to toem. “The Tory members of Parliament and their campaign organisers will gleefully agree wito Mr Walsh in his latest effusion; but I doubt whether all unions and affiliates wild be intimidated into accepting this astounding and misleading'statement as binding on them,” Mr Butler said. "The forthcoming conference of the federation will surely concern itself with this barefaced change of front.”